2023 Ford Explorer reliability record
NHTSA consumer complaints and recall campaigns for the 2023 Ford Explorer from the dataset labeled 2026. The source file does not provide an exact snapshot date. Use the reported issues to guide further checks; these counts do not establish failure rates or repair costs.
- NHTSA complaints
- 139
- Dataset year: 2026; snapshot day not provided
- Top problem area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- 21 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 14
- see below
- Reported harm
- 12 reported crashes · 12 injuries · 3 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesCounts are not adjusted for vehicles sold, time in service or reporting frequency. A larger count does not establish a higher chance of failure, and these comparisons do not set the maintenance budget in our calculator.
Complaint rank
#3,376
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Ford median
-198
median 338 across 514 Ford records
Vs 2021-2025
-59
median 199 complaints in 350 records
Top component share
15%
Unknown Or Other: 21 complaints
What owners report fails — 2023 Ford Explorer
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21
- STEERING 12
- SUSPENSION 12
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11
- POWER TRAIN 10
14 recalls on record for the 2023 Ford Explorer
- NHTSA 26V159000 · 2026 · SEAT BELTS A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- NHTSA 26V123000 · 2026 · BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 25V442000 · 2025 · BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that con
- NHTSA 25V455000 · 2025 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 25V393000 · 2025 · SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2023 Ford Explorer
Build a separate budget with your purchase price, insurance quote, mileage and maintenance estimate. Complaint counts do not enter that calculation. Unknown local taxes and fees stay listed as costs to confirm.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2023 Ford Explorer units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Dataset year: 2026; exact snapshot day not supplied. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2023 Ford Explorer reliable?
NHTSA has 139 consumer complaints on record for the 2023 Ford Explorer and 14 recalls. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (21 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2023 Ford Explorer units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Ford Explorer?
Owners most often report problems with: unknown or other (21), steering (12), suspension (12), electrical system (11). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2023 Ford Explorer?
This complaint dataset does not measure repair prices or predict a maintenance budget for the 2023 Ford Explorer. Use your purchase price, insurance quotes, fuel use and a maintenance estimate in the separate five-year cost calculator. It does not convert complaint counts into repair costs, and any unknown taxes remain excluded and clearly listed.